Amusement apparatus



' July 6, 1937. K. F. WILKINSON AMUSEMENT APPARATUS Filed- Ma 23, 1936 11A flwgzpguzgu'gug 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 [IO v- LINE 1 Inventor lfer z on E W: lkz'nson Y VAY QMJUSQ July 6, 1937. K. F. WILKINSON AMUSEMENT APPARATUS Filed May 25, 1936 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 no r. 1.1m;

J L l L WWWLL 64 In u'erz i'or' 1f eyon 1 "With Patented July 6, 1931 UNlTED STATES PATENT OFFICE 4 Claims.

t This invention relates to amusement appara- It is an object of this invention to provide an improved amusement apparatus which is relatively simple and inexpensive in construction and efiicient in use.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an amusement'apparatus in which the progressive movement of racing characters is shown by the successive illumination of electric lights arranged in parallel rows.

A further object of the invention is to provide a novel device which may be used in theaters, restaurants, and other public places for showing the progressive movements of racing characters by means of electric lights or analogous devices which are arranged in parallel horizontal rows.

An additional object of the present invention is to provide a novel device by means of which the general progress or movements of horses or other racing objects about a race track, as well as the movements of the racing characters relative to each other, may be shown at a point remote from the track by means of electric lights, or analogous indicating devices, which are arranged in parallel horizontal rows, the said electric lightsor analogous indicating devices being controlled by means of keys or equivalent manual control devices which are arranged at a point adjacent to the race track.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a novel mechanism which is actuated by the illumination of the last or end light in each row of the same and which when thus-actuated stops the operation of the device.

Otherobjects will appear hereinafter.

The invention consists in the novel combination and arrangement of parts to be hereinafter described and claimed.

The invention will be best understood by reference to the accompanying drawings showing the preferred form of construction, and in which:

Fig. 1 is a diagrammatic view showing a preferred form of the electrical circuit embodied in the new device for successively illuminating the electric lights so as to indicate the general and relative movements of the racing characters;

Fig. 2 is an end elevational view, partly in section, showing a part of the means for closing a circuit to the electric lights and showing the resetting mechanism for the said circuit-closing means;

Fig. 3 is a front elevational view showing a preferred form of. the housing which encloses the bank of electric lights which are embodied in the device shown in Figs. 1 and 2;

Fig. 4 is a sectional view on line l--l in Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 is a view, partly in section and partly in elevation, of the means embodied in the inven- 5 tion, shown in Figs. 1 to 4 inclusive, for controlling. the operation of the circuit-closing means;

Fig. 6 is a vertical sectional view on line 8-8 in Fig. 5; and

Fig. 7 is a diagrammatic view of a modified form 10 of the invention.

A preferred form of the present invention as shown in Figs. 1 to 6 inclusive, is therein generally indicated at Ill, and comprises a bank of indicating devices in the form of electric lights ll which are arranged in parallel horizontal rows and within a-casing or housing l2 (Fig. 3), only one row of the indicating devices or lights ll being shown (Figs. 1 andi) but it being understood that any desired number of such rows (of which four are indicated, Figs. 1 and 3, by the letters A, B, C and D) may be arranged within the housing or casing 12 behind the front wall 13 thereof on which any desired indicia may be printed or otherwise inscribed to interpret or indicate the progress or movement of the. racing characters which are represented by the successive illumination of the lights I l.

Each of the rows (A,"B, "C", and "D") of indicators or lights II is arranged in an electrical circuit which is generally indicated at M (Fig.

1) and each of these circuits includes a circuitclosing device, generally indicated at l5, for controlling the illumination of the lights I l. The circuit-closing device I5 includes an annular series or row of stationary contacts l6 and and a movable contact H which is successively engageable ,with the stationary contacts 16, this movable contact I! being rotatably mounted upon a shaft I8 which is suitably journaled in a support, generally indicated at 2| (Fig. 2) and on which the stationary contacts l6 are likewise mounted. Likewise mounted on the shaft I8 is a ratchet l9 and engageable with the teeth of the ratchet I9 is a pawl 20 which is pivotally mounted between its end, as at 22, upon an arm 23 which is rotatably mounted upon, that is, floats on the shaft l8. Attached to one end portion of the pawl 20 is a spring 24 the other end portion of the spring 24 being attached to the arm 23.

The arm 23 has an integral extension 25 and this extension 25 is pivotally connected, as at 26, to the movable element or core 21 of a solenoid 28. Arranged upon the shaft I8 is a coil spring 14 which has one end anchored to the support 2| and which has its other end attached to the shaft l8, this spring I! normally urging the shaft I8 and the ratchet I9 and the movable contact I! (clockwise, Fig.2)

Oneside of the solenoid 28 is electrically connected, by means of a conductor 29, to a source of electrical energy 30 which may be an ordinary 110 v. line, and the other side of the solenoid 28 is electrically connected, by way of a conductor 3i, to a control device for the circuit-closing device I5, said control device having the form of a rotary drum contactor 32 which is mounted upon a shaft 33, the shaft 33 being joumaled in a suitable support 34 (Figs. 5 and 6). Qperatively connected to the shaft 33 is a motor 35, which is preferably an electric motor. One side of this motor 35 is electrically connected, by way of a conductor 36 (Fig. 1) to the power intake line or conductor 29, and the other side of the motor 35 is electrically connected, by way of a conductor 31, to the movable element 38 of a switch 39, the stationary contact 46 of this switch 39 being electrically connected, by way of a conductor 4I,,to a conductor 42 which, in turn, is connected to a manually operable control switch 43.

Arranged on, and embedded in, the peripheral surface of the drum contactor 32 are four spaced contact rings 45, each of which includes a series of equidistantly spaced conductive segments 48 of equal length, and these contact rings 45 are electrically connected, by way of a conductor 41, to a conductive ring 48 which is mounted on the drum contactor 32 at one end thereof (Fig. 5). Engaging with this ring 48 is a brush 49 which is electrically connected, by way of a conductor 3I, to one side of the solenoid 28. Engageable with each of the contact rings 45-46 is a stationary contact or brush 50 and each of these brushes 50 is electrically connected, by way of a conductor 5i, with the movable element 52 of a corresponding switch 53, the stationary contact 54 of each of the switches 53 being electrically connected, by way of a conductor 55, with a conductor 42 (Fig. 1); only one of the switches 53, conductors 42, and associated parts being shown in the drawings, (Fig. 1) because the same are duplicates of each other. It is to be understood, however, that there are as many of these parts as there are contact rings 4546 on the drum contactor 32, and rows of lights II (of which there are four, indicated at B, C" and D in Fig. l)

One side of each of the lights II is electrically connected, by way of a conductor 56, to one of the stationary contacts I6 of the circuit-closing device I5 and the other side of each of the lights .I I is electrically connected, by way of a conductor 51, to a conductor 58, and the latter, in turn, is electrically connected, by way of the conductor 42 and switch 43-to the intake line 12 (Fig. 1).

Leading from one side of the light II which is arranged at the end of each of the parallel horizontal rows of lights I I (only one row being shown since these rows are duplicates of each other) is a conductor 59 and the latter, in turn, is electrically connected to one side of an electromagnet 60, the other side of the electromagnet 60 being electrically connected to the conductor 42.

Engageable with the ratchet I9 is a dog 62 which is pivotally mounted, between its ends, as at 63, upon the support 2 I, this dog 62 being urged into engagement with the ratchet I9 by means of a spring 64. Pivotally connected to the dog 62, as at 65, is the movable element or core 66 of a solenoid 61, one side of which is electrically connected, by way o a conductor 68, to a manually operated switch 68 which, in turn, is connected, by way of a conductor I0 to the power intake line 42. -'I'he other side of the solenoid 61 is electrically connected, by way 01' a conductor II, to one side of the solenoid 28.

The dog 82 has an arm 89 which is engageable with an arm 90 of the pawl 28, for reasons to be explained herein.

Operation of the form of the invention shown in Figs. 1 to 6, inclusive In the use of the form of the invention shown; in Figs. 1 to 6, inclusive, the casing or housing I2,

containing the several rows of lights II, may be arranged upon any desired support such, for example, as the stage of a theater, or in any other desired place, such as restaurants, amusement places, etc. The motor 35 and drum contactor 32 may then be set in operation by closing the switch 43, whereupon currentwill flow as follows: From the source 36, along the line 29, through the conductor 36, through the motor 35, through the conductor 31, and switch 39, into the conductor 4I, and thence by way of the conductor 42, switch 43, and conductor I2 back to the current source 30, thereby setting the motor 35 and the drum contactor 32 in operation.

When the control device or drum contactor 32 is thus rotated, the brushes 50 engage the contact rings 45 and they alternately engage and disen-' gage the conductive segments 46 in the same.

It is to be understood, in connection with the operation of the device presently to be described, that there is a row of the lights I I associated with each of the contact rings 45-46 and brushes 50 but that only one row of such lights and associated parts is shown in the drawings since the same are duplicates of each other; and that the following explanation of the operation of the device is directed to the row of lights A", shown in Fig. 1, and to the parts associated therewith.

Accordingly, assuming that the brush 50A is disposed in engagement with one of the conductive segments in the contact ring 46A, which corresponds to the row of lights A, (Figs. 1 and 6) and that the parts are disposed as in Fig. 2, current will then flow as follows: From the current source 30, along the conductor I2, through the closed manual control switch 43, and conductor 42, through the conductor 51A, and lamp IIA, thence by way of the conductor 13A, to the cor-, responding stationary contact I6A of the circuitclosing device I5, through the movable contact I1, and thence by way of the shaft I 8, and conductors II and 29 back to the current source 30, thus illuminating the lamp IIA, so as to indicate the start of one horse in a race,-and other circuits such as that shown in Fig. 1 may be set in operation to show the start of the other horses in the race.

At the same time, that is, when the drum .contactor 32 is set in operation, the solenoid 28 is energized, current then flowing as follows: From the current source 30, along the conductor 29 to one side of the solenoid 28, through the latter, thence by way of the conductor 3i to the brush 49 (Fig. 6), through the brush 49 into the contact ring 48, through the latter, thence by way of the conductor 41 to the contact ring 46A, through the latter, thence into the brush 50A, along the conductor 5I, through the switch 53, which is normally closed by the spring I3, (the movable elements 38 and 52 of the switches 39 and 53 being connected, for movement as a unit, by means of a suitable connection SI) and thence by way of 2,085,884 the conductors 55, and-42 and switch 43 and conductor 12 back to the current source 38, thereby energizing the solenoid 28.

When the solenoid 28 is thus energized it attracts its movable element or core 21 downwardly (Fig. 2) thereby pivoting the member 23-25 and the pawl 28 carried thereby (counter-clockwise, Fig. 2) on the shaft-I8. This movement of the pawl 28, which is normally urged by the spring 24, into engagement with the ratchet I8, moves the shaft I8 and the movable contact II carried thereby (counterclockwise, Fig. 2), a circumferential distance corresponding to the circumferential distance between two of the stationary contacts i8, thereby closing circuit to the light IIB (Fig. 1), it being understood that in the present example the foregoing circuit to the light HA is closed and the latter is illuminated when the parts are arranged as in the drawings and the drum contactor 32 is set in operation. It will, therefore, beseen that each time the brush 58A passes over one of the non-conductive strips 45 in the contact ring 46A and into engagement or contact with the latter the foregoing circuit to the solenoid 28 will be closed and the latter will be energized so as to advance the movable contact II of the circuit-closing device l one step, that is, a circumferential step equal to the circumferential distance between two of the stationary contacts I6, and in this manner the circuits to the lights II are successively closed and the lights are successively illuminated from the initial light I IA to the last or end light I IL in the row of the same (Fig. 1), thus indicating or simulating the general progress or movement of a racing character such, for example, as the general movement of a horse around a race track; it being noted, in this connection, that the movements of the several horses in the race relative to each other are indicated by manually closing andopening several switches such .as 43 which may be arranged at the race track itself. It will be noted, therefore, that drum contactors such as 32 will be utilized only for the purpose of illuminating the lights II in the several rows of the same so as to show the general movements of the horses around the track and not the movements of the same relative to each other.

After the foregoing cycle of operations of the solenoid 28 and associated parts of the circuitclosing device I5 has been repeated a number of times equal to the number of lights II -in the corresponding row of the same, the last lamp I IL will be illuminated, whereupon current will fiow as follows: From the current source 38 by way of the conductor I2 and switch 43 to the conductor 42, thence along the conductors .58 and 51L to the light IIL, through the latter, and thence by way of the conductor 59 to one side of the electromagnet 68, through the latter, and thence by way of the conductors 6| and 42, and switch 43, and conductor I2 back to the current source 38, thereby energizing the electromagnet 68. When the electromagnet 68 is thus energized it will attract the movable element 52 of the switch 53 and the movable element 52 will act, through the connection 8|, to move the movable element 38 of the switch 39, against the action 'of the resetting spring I3, out of engagement with the contact 48, thus opening the switch 38, and thereby breaking the circuit to the motor 35, and thus stopping the operation of the latter and the control device or drum contactor 32. In this manner the drum contactor or control device 32 is stopped and the circuit-closing device I5 is prevented from further operation as soon as the last or end'light' in one of the rows of parallel lights II is illuminated. thus indicating the finish of the race for. the corresponding horse and assuring that no more lights in that row will be illuminated after the end light in the said row has been illuminated to indicate the finish of the race for the corresponding horse. I

In order to reset the circuit-closing device I5 back into its initial position (as inFig. 2) the switch 69 is manually closed, whereupon current will fiow as follows: From the current source 38, through the conductor I2, through the conductor I0, switch 69, conductor 68, into the solenoid 61, through the latter. andthence by way of the conductors II and 28 back to the current source 38, thereby energizing the solenoid 61. When the solenoid 81 is thus energized it will attract its movable element or core 65 (downwardly as seen in Fig. 2) thereby pivoting the latch dog 62, at 63 (counterclockwise, Fig. 2) out of engagement with the teeth of the ratchet I8, and a. the same time causing the end portion 88 of the dog 62 to engage the arm 98 of the pawl and thereby pivot the latter, at 12, out of engagement with the teeth of the ratchet I8, whereupon the tensioned resetting spring I4 will move the shaft I8 and contact l1 back into is initial position (clockwise, Fig. 2), thus resetting the circuitclosing device I5 back to its initial position and thus extinguishing the lights II. A modified form of the invention is shown in Fig. '7 and this form of the invention is also especially adapted for-use in showing in public places, such for example, as restaurants, billiard halls, and other places of amusement etc., the movements of horses or other racing characters racing at a distant track.

The modified form of the invention which is shown in Fig. '7 is therein generally indicated at I5, and comprises a bank or group of lights I8 which are arranged in parallel horizontal rows (only one row of the same being shown since these rows are duplicates). One side of each of the lights I6 is electrically connected, by way of a conductor 11, to one of the stationary contacts I8 of a circuit-closing devicewhich is generally indicated at I9 and which is similar to the circuit-closing device I5 which is embodied in the preferred form of the invention shown in Figs. 1 to 6 inclusive; the said control device I8 including a movable contact 80 which is successively engageable with an annular row of stationary contacts 18, this movable contact III being moved successively into engagement with the stationary contacts I8 by means of a solenoid 82, (and associated parts, not shown) which correspond to the solenoid 28. and associated parts which are embodied in the preferred form of the invention shown in Figs. 1 to 6 inclusive. The circuitclosingJ device I9 also includes a resetting solenoid 8| which corresponds to the solenoid 61 in the form of the invention shown in Figs. 1 to 6 inclusive.

The source of current for operating the device shown in Fig. I is indicated as being an ordinary 110 v. line and one side of this line is electrically connected, by'way of a conductor 83, to the movable contact 80 of the circuit-closing device 19.

The other side of the current source is electrically connected, by way of a conductor 84 with one side of a switch 85, the other side of this switch 85 being electrically connected, by way of a conductor 86 with one side of the solenoid 82.

One side of the solenoid 8| is electrically connected, by way of a conductor 81 with one side of a resetting switch 88 and the other side of this resetting switch 88 is electrically connected, by way of a conductor 88, to the conductor 84.

The modified form of the invention shown in Fig. 7 is, like the form of the invention shown in Figs. 1 to 6, inclusive, primarily designed for showing, in public places such, for example, as restaurants, amusement places, etc., the movements of racing characters such as horses, engaged in a race at a distant or remote point and to this end the manual control keys or control switches 85 may be arranged in a bank of the same upon the desk of an operator situated at the race track, and the rows of lights 16 may be arranged in a public place as above set forth.

Accordingly. when the operator at the track desires to show the progress or movements of the horses at the race track he will close the starting or control switches 85', which may be of any desired type, whereupon current will then flow as follows, (it being understood that the description to follow is limited to one unit, that is, to one control switch 85 and one row of lights 16): From the current source, through the conductor 83, into the movable contact 80 of the circuit-closing device 18, thence into the stationary contact 18A (the movable contact 88 being at this time disposed in its initial position and in engagement with the stationary contact 18A), ihence by way of the conductor 11A, to one side of the light 16A, through the light 16A, and thence by way of the conductors 88A, 89, 88, switch 85, and conductor 84 back to the current source, thus illuminating the initial lamp 18A, in the row of the same, so as to indicate the start of a race.

At the same time, that is, when theswitch 85 is closed current will flow through the solenoid 82 as follows: From the current source, along the conductor 83, through the solenoid 82, thence by way of the conductor 86 to one side of the switch 85, through the latter, and thenceby way of the conductor 84 back to the current source, thereby energizing the solenoid 82.

When the solenoid 82 is thus energized it will act (through a mechanism similar to that shown in Fig. 2) to move the movable contact 18A out of engagement with the stationary contact 18A and into engagement with the next adjacent stationary contact 183 thereby closing circuit to and illuminating the next adjacent lamp 183 so as to indicate the general progress or movement of the horse or other racing object during the race, it being understood that there may be as many keys or other control devices 85 as there are rows of lights 16 and horses or racing characters in the race so that the progress or movement of the horses relative to each other may be shown at a remote point by selectively operating the manual remote control devices or keys 85.

While I have illustrated and described preferred forms of construction for carrying my invention into effect, these are capable of variation and modification, without departing from the spirit of the invention. I, therefore, do not wish to be limited to the precise details of construction set forth, but desire to avail myself of such variations and modifications as come within the scope of the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to protect by Letters Patent is:

rality of circuits, for completing impulse energizaticn thereof at will.

2.. In an apparatus of the character described, the combination of a bank of electric lights arranged in parallel horizontal rows; means, including a rotary drum contactor having a plurality of contact rings thereon corresponding to the number 'of the said rows of lights and each of said rings including a series of spaced conductive segments of uniform length, for producing impulse current in a plurality of circuits corresponding to -the plurality of the said rows of lights; means, including the winding of a stepping magnet and switches individual to all of the lights in any one of said rows of lights, con trolled by said stepping magnet, for-energizing successively the said lights in any of the said rows of lights; and means including manually operable switches individual to the plurality of circuits, for completing impulse energization thereof at will.

3. In an apparatus of the character described, 8

the combination of a bank of electric lights arranged in parallel horizontal rows; means for producing impulse current in a plurality of circuits corresponding to the plurality of the said rows of lights; means, including the winding of a stepping magnet and switches individual to all of the lights in any one of said rows of lights, controlled by said stepping magnet, for energizing successively the said lights in any of the said rows of lights; means including manually operable switches individual to the plurality of circuits, for completing impulse energization thereof at will, and means energized by the illumination of the last or end light in each of the said rows of lights for stopping the operation of the said first-named means.

4. In an apparatus of the character described, the combination of a bank of electric lights arranged in parallel horizontal rows; means, including a rotary drum contactor having a plurality of contact rings thereon corresponding to the number of the said rows of lights and each of said rings including a series of spaced conductive segments of uniform length, for producing impulse current in a plurality of circuits corresponding to the plurality of the said rows of lights; means, including the winding of a stepping magnet and switches individual to all of the lights in any one of said rows of lights, controlled by said stepping magnet, for energizing successively'the said lights in any' of the said rows of lights; means including manually operable switches individual to the plurality of circuits, for completing impulse energization thereof at will; and means energized by the illumination of the last or end light in each of the said rows of lights for stopping the operation of the said rotary drum contactor.

KENYON F. WILKINSON. 

